Campaign contributions

This chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in Pennsylvania in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contributions in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[1]

Year

Number of candidates

Total contributions

2012

55

$26,589,797

2010

53

$20,772,005

2008

65

$29,456,144

2006

63

$22,233,800

2004

52

$18,023,643

2002

53

$19,135,990

2000

49

$10,724,732

During the 2012 election, the total contributions to the 55 Senate candidates was $26,589,797. The top 10 contributors were:[2]

2012 Donors, Pennsylvania State Senate

Donor

Amount

Pennsylvania Republican Party

$1,794,822

Raja, D

$1,103,000

Friends of Dominic Pileggi

$866,715

Senate Republican Campaign Cmte of Pennsylvania

$771,990

Pennsylvania Association for Justice

$570,800

Northwest Good Government Pac

$508,977

Friends of Joe Scarnati

$461,100

Pennsylvania Democratic Party

$417,045

Gehret, John K

$382,045

Pennsylvania State Education Association

$351,205

Impact of redistricting

The Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission approved its final compromise maps on April 12, 2012, following the rejection of the first set by the state Supreme Court. Because they were passed after the signature filing deadline, the 2012 elections were held using the old maps with the new maps going into effect for the 2014 elections.[3]

Qualifications

Under Article II of the Pennsylvania Constitution, Senators shall be at least twenty-five years of age and Representatives twenty-one years of age. They shall have been citizens and inhabitants of their respective districts one year next before their election (unless absent on the public business of the United States or of this State) and shall reside in their respective districts during their terms of service.